The multi-ethnic global lung initiative 2012 (GLI-2012) norms reflect contemporary adult's Algerian spirometry.

BACKGROUND:The validation of the multi-ethnic GLI-2012 spirometric norms has been debated in several countries. However, its applicability in Algeria has not been verified. AIM:To ascertain how well the GLI-2012 norms fit contemporary adult Algerian spirometric data. METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 300 healthy non-smoker adults (50% men, age range: 18-85 years) recruited from the Algiers region general population. All participants underwent a clinical examination and a plethysmography measurement. Z-scores for some spirometric data [FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75%)] were calculated. If the average Z-score deviated by "< ± 0.5" from the overall mean, the GLI-2012 norms would be considered as reflective of contemporary Algerian spirometry. RESULTS:The means±SDs of age, height, weight, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75% of the participants were, respectively, 48±17 years, 1.65±0.10 m, 73±14 kg, 4.04±1.04 L, 3.18±0.82 L, 0.79±0.05 and 4.09±1.09 L/s. Almost the quarter of participants were obese. The total sample means±SDs Z-scores were 0.22±0.87 for FVC, 0.04±0.88 for FEV1, -0.34±0.67 for FEV1/FVC and 0.93±0.79 for FEF25-75%. For men and women, only the means±SDs of the FEF25-75% Z-scores exceeded the threshold of "± 0.5", respectively, 1.13±0.77 and 0.73±0.76. CONCLUSION:Results of the present study, performed in an Algerian population of healthy non-smoking adults, supported the applicability of the GLI-2012 norms to interpret FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC but not the FEF25-75%

6-Min walk-test data in healthy North-African subjects aged 16–40 years

Background: In North-African and Mediterranean countries (such as Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya) no local 6-Min walk-distance (6MWD) norms exist for subjects aged 16–40 years. Aims: (i) To test the applicability and reliability of the previously published norms for Arab or Mediterranean subjects aged ⩾ 16 years in this population and, if required, (ii) to establish a 6MWD reference equation for use in North-African subjects aged 16–40 years and prospectively assess its reliability and to propose a clear scheme to interpret the measured 6MWD. Study design: Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods: Metabolic-equivalent-task (MET) walking, moderate, and vigorous activities, anthropometric, spirometric and 6-Min walk-test (6MWD, heart-rate, oxy-haemoglobin-saturation) data were measured/noted in 200 healthy Algerian subjects aged 16–40 years (100 women). Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were used to find-out 6MWD influencing factors, reference equation and to determine the lower-limit-of-normal (LLN). Results: The mean ± SD of 200 included subjects’ age, height, weight, body-mass-index (BMI), lean-mass, first-second-forced-expiratory-volume (FEV1) and MET moderate activity were, respectively, 27.5 ± 6.7 years, 169 ± 9 cm, 69.3 ± 11.5 kg, 24.1 ± 3.6 kg/m2, 16.7 ± 7.4 kg, 3.70 ± 0.74 L and 370 ± 686 min/week. Their 6MWD mean ± SD (minimum–maximum) was 680 ± 70 (540–888) m. The published norms for Italian and Saudi-Arabian populations did not reliably predict measured 6MWD. The following 6MWD influencing factors were noted: FEV1, BMI, sex, lean-mass, MET moderate activity and age (p < 0.001). A reference equation, explaining 58.7% of the 6MWD variability, was established: 6MWD (m) = 800.05 + 64.71 × Sex (men:1/women:0) − 10.23 × BMI (kg/m2) − 1.63 × Age (years) + 2.05 × Weight (kg). To calculate the 6MWD LLN subtract 74.31 m from the predicted value. In a second group of 39 young subjects (19 women) prospectively studied to validate the reference equation, the agreement between the measured and predicted 6MWDs was adequate. Conclusion: This reliable 6MWD norm is helpful for the care of North-African patients aged 16–40 years

Development of spirometric reference equations for children living at high altitude

This study was aimed to provide locally derived spirometric equations from a population of healthy children residing in Bogota, Colombia, a high‐altitude city. Healthy children aged more than 6 years up to less than 18 years underwent spirometry from January 2017 to January 2018, following the recommendations made by the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) Task Force. We performed stepwise multiple regression analyses to predict each spirometric parameter. We also performed extensive residual analyses comparing the measured values with those calculated with our new spirometric equations and with other commonly used equations. Predictive equations for each spirometric variable were derived from 326 spirometric tests (149 boys, 177 girls). Our newly derived spirometric equations provided the minimum of median of prediction error for almost all spirometric indices measured. We recommend the newly developed spirometric equations for assessing the ventilatory function of children living in Bogota, Colombia